This is the first stabilized full-frame 24-70/2.8 that I know. Interesting!Here's my full review.

Now Nikon looks lame for not having implemented VRII in their otherwise very good AF-S 24-70/2.8G.Hope to get a copy of the Tamron lens to test against the Nikon equivalent on my brand spanking new D800 But I've "heard" that availability will only be in summer. so you have to wait a bit...

Now why can they build in the image stabilizer while Nikon and Canon (Canon announced their new 24-70mm 2.8 II a day later: without IS) can't? It's not even heavier! If the IQ is good and the price maybe even lower than the Canikon versions, this will be a killer lens.

This one does have my attention. Though I am not impressed by Tamron, overall, some of their lenses have decent reputations, one being the 28-75mm. If the 24-70mm can have the same or better image quality, that would tempt me to buy, if the price is a good value.

I have been disappointed in the past by poor QC (quality control) from Tamron. They may have some potentially good designs, but how many copies are you going to cycle through with the dealer of your choice to find a good one?

The build of the IS/VC is certainly not the same as with the 70-300mm lens.
Tamron rambles about how they had to make everything stronger and more powerful to move the large lens-group that is tilted inside the zoom. I quote from the page linked in my initial post:
"Because the 24-70 mm F/2.8 Di VC USD is a high-speed zoom lens with maximum aperture of F/2.8, its VC system must drive a lens that is larger and heavier than other zooms. Therefore, the shape, size and layout of the drive coils are all designed to obtain sufficient thrust."
So we'll have to wait for tests to understand how effective the stabilization in this new lens is.

I am blessed to live quite near two dealers that stock Tamron in some quantity, giving me the advantage of being able to test a lens before buying.
One thing that has delayed my purchase of a Tamron 28-75mm is that I have a quite good example of the Canon 28-135mm with IS, that was packaged as the kit lens with my first 7D. My wife, however, likes Tamron lenses, appreciating the relatively lighter weight, so a Nikon-fit 24-70mm with VC may be a good choice as a gift for her. (She will probably keep using her 18-200mm at work; she does not like changing lenses in the field, and will use most of the zoom range at some scenes.)

To be clear, my wife is a quite accomplished photographer, having been shooting official evidentiary photos at death scenes since 1994, mostly at night, and mostly in manual mode. She would not use Tamron lenses if they were not recording good images. Perhaps we have been lucky in obtaining good samples, as I have certainly read of people getting bad ones.

Wow this lens looks interesting. IF it is sharp and not too expensive it could be a killer lens. I'm not sure I would replace my 24-105 with it, like I would of if canon had brought out a 24-70 IS, but it might be a nice lens to add to the bag... Providing its not too expensive. Would be a nice portrait lems. Does anyone know a price? I'm hoping around £500-£600

Haven't found any indication of price yet, but the non-stabilized Sigma AF 24-70mm 2.8 EX DG HSM is around 750 EUR street-price. The older non-stabilized Tamron SP AF 28-75mm 2.8 XR Di LD Asp IF Macro is at around 330 EUR which is a very low price considering the constant f/2.8 aperture.
So maybe Tamron is indeed looking for a price in the direction of the competition from Sigma.

If I decide to get that lens (as soon as I can compare the sharpness to a 24-105mm) I might get it, especially if it is cheaper than the 24-105mm. 2.8 + IS is quite nice. My only "problem" is the missing range between 70 and 100mm, which I'd have with the 24-105mm. But then I'd have a reason to get the 85mm 1.8

"get the 85mm 1.8"? Surely you mean to get the new 85mm 1.8G and not the old 85mm 1.8D, Jiko!
Expect me to test the new lens as soon as my D800 arrives I also hope to test the new tamron agains the Nikon 24-70/2.8 and the Nikon 24-120/4.0 VRII - as soon as it arrives...

Some dealers are listing this lens now, Amazon for 1350 EUR (incl. 19% VAT).So it seems that the arrival at this lens might be planned for May or thereabouts.Looking at the price compared to it's biggest rival (for Nikon shooters that is) the Nikon AF-S 24-70/2.8G which is currently hovering around 1500 EUR you might ask whether Tamron has overstretched its ambitions. From past experience it is possible that Tamron might produce a lens with good potential, but some quirks were marring the experience (like a shifting back-/front-focus through the zoom-range of the 70-200/2.8).Hope they've got their act together this time.